Propranolol - a beta-blocker

About propranolol

Propranolol is a type of bêta-bloquant used to treat several medical conditions such as anxiety and high blood pressure. It works on the heart and blood vessels.

Propranolol helps ease the physical symptoms of l'anxiété, such as a fast heartbeat and trembling. Similar symptoms to these are also experienced by people with an glande thyroïde hyperactive. Propranolol quickly relieves these types of symptoms.

It is also the beta-blocker which is commonly prescribed to help prevent migraines. Propranolol can be helpful for people who find other treatments for migraine unsuitable.

Propranolol slows down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart.

As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have hypertension artérielle (hypertension), and helps to prevent abnormally fast heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Because your heart is using less energy, this helps to reduce chest pain if you have angine de poitrine. Propranolol can also help to protect the heart following a crise cardiaque.

The most common side effects of propranolol are:

• Se sentir fatigué.

• Cold hands and feet.

• Se sentir à bout de souffle.

• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).

• Rythme cardiaque lent.

You you also experience other common side effects such as:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

• Reduce sexual desire (libido).

• Mood changes.

• Maux de tête.

• Upset stomach.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes que vous pensez être dus au médicament, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils supplémentaires.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking propranolol it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte, essayez d'avoir un bébé ou allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• Si vous avez une pression artérielle basse ou une mauvaise circulation.

• Si vous avez de l'asthme ou tout autre trouble respiratoire.

• Si vous avez un taux de sucre dans le sang élevé (diabète sucré).

• Si vous avez un problème de peau appelé psoriasis.

• Si vous avez une affection provoquant une faiblesse musculaire, appelée myasthénie grave.

• Si on vous a dit que vous avez un rythme cardiaque lent ou un bloc cardiaque (un rythme cardiaque lent et irrégulier).

• If you have been told you have chest pain called Prinzmetal's angina (caused by spasms of your heart's blood vessels).

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament, ou si vous avez déjà eu une autre réaction allergique grave.

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about propranolol and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Your doctor will tell you what dose of propranolol is right for you, and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• Take propranolol exactly as your doctor tells you to. Propranolol tablets are usually prescribed to be taken in divided doses - so you may be prescribed two, three or four doses to take each day.

  • Propranolol capsules have a more prolonged action and are prescribed to be taken once daily. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water - do not chew or open the capsules.

• Propranolol tablets and capsules are available in several different strengths. Each time you collect a fresh supply, it's a good idea to check the strength on the packet to make sure they are the strength you are expecting.

• Try to take your doses at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them regularly.

• If you do forget to take a dose of propranolol, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due then take the tablet/capsule which is due but leave out the forgotten one. Do not take two doses together to make up for missing one.

• Essayez de respecter vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Cela permet à votre médecin de suivre vos progrès.

• Treatment with propranolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets/capsules unless your doctor tells you to stop.

  • Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking propranolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of propranolol and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you have diabetes, propranolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines (including some cough, cold and flu remedies) may not be.

• Your doctor may give you dietary and lifestyle advice about eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and taking regular exercise. If so, it is important that you follow the advice you are given.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Can I take sertraline and propranolol together?

Yes, sertraline and propranolol are sometimes prescribed together. Sertraline is an antidepressant, while propranolol is a beta-blocker often used for heart conditions or to reduce anxiety symptoms like palpitations

What should you avoid when taking propranolol?

When taking propranolol, you should be careful with other medicines that affect heart rate or blood pressure, such as certain heart medications, calcium channel blockers, or some asthma inhalers. Alcohol can also increase side effects like dizziness.

Is propranolol an antidepressant?

No, propranolol is not an antidepressant. It is a beta-blocker, mainly used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, and sometimes anxiety symptoms like palpitations or tremors. While it can help with certain physical effects of anxiety, it does not treat the mood aspects of depression.

How quickly does propranolol work for anxiety?

Propranolol can start working for anxiety-related physical symptoms, like a racing heart or tremors, within an hour. However, it does not treat the underlying mood aspects of anxiety. Its effects are usually short-term, so it’s often taken as needed before stressful situations.

How long does propranolol last?

Propranolol usually lasts 3–6 hours, or up to 24 hours for extended-release tablets, depending on dose and individual response.